Ahmedabad: The city crime branch has busted an interstate gang involved in tampering with weighbridges in Vatva GIDC and other industrial areas, arresting seven accused for allegedly cheating scrap dealers and companies through a sophisticated fraud.

According to officials, the gang had been operating for nearly four years across multiple states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The operation came to light following specific intelligence inputs, after which the crime branch launched a probe using technical and human surveillance.

Investigations revealed that the accused procured scrap through auctions and bidding processes at company scrap yards and industrial sites. They then manipulated weighbridge systems by installing specially designed Chinese electronic chips in the machines.

Police said the gang allegedly paid around ₹10,000 to weighbridge staff to facilitate the installation of these chips. Using remote controls, they could reduce the displayed weight of scrap-laden trucks by as much as 1 to 14 tonnes, generating false weight receipts.

By underreporting the actual weight, the gang purchased scrap at significantly lower prices and later sold it at market rates, making substantial illegal profits.

Acting on a tip-off that the accused had gathered with equipment in Vatva GIDC Phase-3, the crime branch conducted a raid and apprehended seven individuals. The arrested accused have been identified as Hemantkumar Raval (33) of Khokhra, Sanket Raval (24) of Vatva, Vijay Thakor (36) of Bhiloda, Manish Rabari (27) of Kalol, Vinod Patni (36) of Saraspur, Mukesh Patni (31) of Asarwa, and Sunil Patni (36) of Bapunagar.

During the operation, police seized four microchips, 13 remote controls, 12 mobile phones, and a car, with the total value of the seized items estimated at over ₹19 lakh.

Police have also identified several wanted accused, including Rajnish Kashyam, Chirag Goswami, Sunil Bodis, Vinod Champo, Ashok Gugo, and Sanjay Patni, all believed to be linked to the racket. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest them.

Further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the interstate network and the involvement of additional accomplices. DeshGujarat